5 March 2019, Nay Pyi Taw
With substantial support of MONREC, UN-REDD PMU organized a consultation workshop on Shifting Cultivation at Amara Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw. The workshop was intended for extending consultations on proposed PAMs (Policies And Measures) and receiving stakeholders’ recommendations and comments on the issues related to shifting cultivation.
At opening ceremony of the workshop, U Zaw Min, Deputy Director General of Forest Department gave welcome speech focusing on how to support community who rely their livings on shifting cultivation. He said, “We would like to urge all stakeholders here to consider the better ways to support community who depend on shifting cultivation for improving their livelihoods and respecting their rights. At the same time, we should think about how to maintain our forests in sustainable way.”
And then, Mr. Timothy Boyle, Chief Technical Advisor of UN-REDD Programme highlighted the importance of dialogue on the current status of shifting cultivation between government staff, CSOs, IP organizations, and community members for revising the PAMs related to it.
Mr. Glenn Hunt from OneMap gave presentation on addressing the data gap and recent analysis on the dynamics of shifting cultivation in Myanmar. After that, U Myo Ko Ko from Point organization discussed on CSO perspective on the future of shifting cultivation.
At discussion session, participants discussed in groups on whether proposed PAMs are appropriate to mitigate the risk of “traditional” shifting cultivation becoming a driver of degradation or not.
Dr. Zar Chi Win from Forest Department gave explanation on Forest Department’s policy and programme on shifting cultivation. After that, Daw Nwe Ni Maung from Department of Ethnic Rights discussed on the views of the Ethnic Rights Department on shifting cultivation.
Daw Pyone Pyone Mon from Department of Agriculture also discussed about the link between shifting cultivation and agricultural productivity. At group discussion session, participants reviewed on government policies and practices supporting shifting cultivation.
Nearly 50 representatives actively participated in consultation process from different government agencies, local CSOs and development partners. This was the fourth workshop on PAMs focusing on “Shifting Cultivation”.
